The Almost Full Moon Rally at White Sands National Monument

March 26 – March 29

The unit has be afforded a very unique and unprecedented opportunity to hold a rally at White Sands National Monument - http://www.nps.gov/whsa/index.htm.  This is the first time in WSNM history overnight RV camping has been allowed.  Therefore there will be some special requirements.  The list below is not all inclusive, but notes conditions that the group does not normally encounter

 Dry camping 

 Must bring own water

 Barrier under Vehicles- There must be a barrier [Definition of Barrier: drip pan, pan, bucket, catch basin, or any container that will hold approx. 1Gal.or approx.4 liters of liquid in such a manner as to contain the liquid from spillage]. Placed beneath trucks, motor homes, placed under the outlets of the Black and Gray water.  No dumping of gray water, black water fuel, or any waste from any vehicles will be allowed.  Violation of this condition will result in the permit being revoked due to resource damage and citations, fines, and/or arrest may occur for resource damage.  I know this sounds onerous, but you have to be cognizant of the very special ecology of the monument.

 Park Hours- All participants of this permit must enter prior to 6 PM.  Participants that are not spending the night must exit the monument by 7 PM. Overnight participants cannot depart the monument prior to 7 AM. The permittee will incur a fee of $50.00 fee per hour for early or late access outside of normal operating hours.

 Limited to 15 rigs.

A complete list of conditions will be handed out at the rally.  You have to remember what a special place White Sands is and the wonderful opportunity we have been given.  This something Wally would have loved a circle of Airstreams parked under the full moon at one of the most beautiful and unique places on the planet.

We still working on some the details, but we have put together a tentative agenda.

Arrive Friday– March 26 at Oliver Lee State Park, Alamogordo

 Happy Hour / Wine & Cheese – 4:30

 Dinner on your own or with friends (Applebee’s/Chili’s/Golden Corral in Alamogordo)

IF YOU CAN’T MEET US AT OLIVER LEE DUE TO WORK OR TRAVEL COMMITMENTS – MEET US IN THE PARKING LOT OF WHITE SANDS @ 12:00 NOON – THERE IS PLENTLY OF PARKING FOR RV’S – We will be camping in the group area – not the North Filming Area originally planned

Saturday– March 27

 Breakfast on your own

 Around noon caravan into White Sands

 Lunch – wherever

o Sunset Stroll – will provide time when closer to date

o Happy Hour / Dinner – bring your own steak – unit will provide grills, baked potatoes with fixings and a salad

Sunday – March 28 

 Breakfast on your own – Golden Corral/Denny’s/Waffle House all open in Alamogordo

 Lunch on your own

 Visit White Sands Missile Range Museum

 Visit Space Hall of Fame

  Sunset Stroll

 Happy Hour / Soup Supper – share your favorite soup

 Gather to watch the almost full moon rise – actual full moon 3/30/10

Monday – March 29 HAPPY TRAILS 

Rally Fee – TBD – still working out the costs of the special permits.  Fees to be paid by members – entrance fee into White Sands (be sure to bring your Golden Age or Golden Access Pass).  It will be $3.00 per person, per night, if you bring grandchildren under the age of 16, $1.50 per night.

You will be updated as we work out the rest of the details.  We can also discuss on 2/21 at Ted and Georgia’s luncheon.

Please remember this is a first for the Unit and the Monument.

Jack & Joanne Palmer

575-434-5337 (H) – 575-420-1428 (C)

palmrranch@aol.com